Business jet sector hit by headwinds

"The global economic situation, the anti-corruption campaign and weak infrastructure in China all limited China's business aviation in the past year," Zhang said.

He said the operator's main clients are Chinese privately owned and international enterprises from various industries.

In order to stimulate the market, Deer Jet launched some new packages of its charter flights at ABECE and the lowest price of its G550 jet is 78,000 yuan ($12,600) per hour, which was over 90,000 yuan before.

At ABACE, Hong Kong-based Sino Jet announced its merger with Beijing Dabaixiong business airlines, a Beijing-based business jet operator, to form a new company called Sino Jet, which continues to focus on business jet operation.

Plane facts

Business aircraft: According to the National Business Aviation Association in the United States, business aircraft vary widely from propeller-driven aircraft to jets to helicopters. The vast majority of business aircraft have six passenger seats in the cabin and fly an average length of less than 1,600 kilometers. Depending on their capability, business aircraft may fly at altitudes below or above airliners, which means below 6,000 meters or above 12,000 meters

Jet aircraft: These have one or more gas-turbine engines, which is often faster than a turboprop, making them attractive for businesspeople. The size and flight range of jets also varies from single pilot and small cabin to a meetinglike environment and being capable of flying internationally. Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault Falcon, Gulfstream and Embraer are the world's major main business jet manufacturers.

Heavy jet: Also known a super large jet, it is priced above $68 million and has a super long range. Heavy jets are usually modified from commercial airplanes.

Large business jet: Priced between $46 million and $68 million, with a flying range of more than 9,260 kilometers and around 15 seats.

Medium-sized business aircraft: Priced between $18 million and $42 million, with a flight range from 5,740 to 9,260 kilometers and no more than 15 seats. As they can be used for transcontinental flights and can accomodate more passengers, they are usually first choice for large companies.

Light business aircraft: Priced between $7 million and $18 million, with a flight range between 3,150 and 5,740 kilometers and six to nine seats. The light business jets have competitive advantages in short-haul routes on price and low operation cost.

Very light business aircraft: Also known as microjets, these are smaller than light jets and usually seat four to eight passengers with a single pilot and a maximum take-off weight of less than 4,530 kilograms.